The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-02-24
Letter from Rhode Island.
Correspondence of the journal.


bears the proud distinction, given by rural
politician. of being ''the biggest little State in
the country" Some small families have large
tcapots. Our Commonwealth has a commodi-
Gus vessel of that class and within its limits is
brewing Il political tempest of no ordinary
character. November ith, 1884, voters in the
Second Congressional District elected William
A. Pirce Representative by small majority.
Some two weeks ago by partisan vote i'm the
House of Representatives Mr.. Pirce was de.
clared not elected to the seat he was given on
presenting the credentials furnished by our
Legislature. Mr. Page, his Democratic oppon-
ent, convinced enough of his party for pract-
cal purposes that more voters were bribed for
MIR. Pirce than constituted his majority. Mem
ton of the number bribed to vote the Demo-
cratic ticket was magnanimorsly omitted. To
place Mr.. Page in his opponents chair was
one step further than parti>anship dared 60
Hence partial unhappiness in Democratic cir
cles, and urgent appeals from that faction for
new election.
1t may be remembered that no election was
consummatcd at the trial in the same District
last November, therefore vacancy exists in
the remnant of the Forty-Nnth Congress- and
after March 4th Il similar vacancy will prevail
ial contests staring us in the face. and the gen
eral election of state officers and assemblvmen
so close at hand, it is no wonder that the polit-
cal cal,lron boil> wrathfuly. For the first
there is not particle of need. Indeed, it has
been a mooted question since Mr.. Prcc was
elected from his seat whose duty it was to issue
writ> for new election. The Legislature re-
ceived official notice of the vacancy, yet did not
recognize its duty under the constitution to fill
the same. Governor Wetmorc was likewise in
doubt as to his jurisdiction in the premises.
Upon solicitation the Supreme Court yesterday
informed the Governor that it was within his
province to issue the writS. but, as only some
twenty days remained in the term of Congress.
suggested that he might exercise his discretion
if such a step was necessary. inclination
would lead His ENcellency, doubtless, to spare
the people the task of going to the polls for so
bootleSS an object; but the eager Democracy
would brook no delay. Taunts of cowardcc
and trickcrv have been loudly preferred. and
to save his party from justification of these
charges. probably, the Governor has ordered an
election to be had on Monday, 2l>t inst. At
this trial plurality elects. and should the Dem
ocratS succeed in gaining this their candidate
will scarcely have time to await the official
count, procure his credentials, rush to Wash
ington, he sworn in and catch his breath in
time to see Congress adjourn.
From reasons previously stated in these col
umn> the Republican party is not in good con-
dtion to fight the battles for congressman in
the Second District. Little is cared who fills
the vacancy in the present session. But the
precedent of Republican defeat will render still
more iubilant the now elatel Democracy In
case Of victory that party will come more
strongly to the front when the vacancy in the
Fitticth Congress is to be supplied. RepubIi-
cans fear the moral effect of such Il disaster;
still with ranks divided as to tile policy of en-
Gor>ing the old or presenting Il new candidate,
it seems impossible to do the eticctual work re-
quired.
Considerable casting about is in order to find
a candidate for Governor who shall lead the
party to customary victory. Di>atfecton 1T the
acts of the present General Assembly and loss
hy recruits to the Prohibitory party have weak
ened this Republican stronghold considerably.
There will he Il severe conflict at the April
election. 1t is hoped that attempts now being
made to purify matters political may result in
greater unity henccforth.
Senator Harrison. of Indiana. addressed
Republican Club in Providence last evening
and awoke much enthusiasm. He detailed the
uphill fight Of the party in his own State. and
eNhortcd to similar GOOD work all who heard
him.
Chief of state Police Brayton has just ren-
deretl his report of official dony> to Jan. lst.
| have criticised this improper officer frequent
ly. His report is long and wordy, yet says very
little He considers prohibition successful. but
urges several amendments 10y which assistance
may be rendered to help him make it success.
He admits that spoilers are of little value and
at the same time reports considerable outlay
for that purpose. He j con>pcuou>ly severe
upon temperance men for not working as cf
fcctiyely as they should. In this. As some 9TH
er features of the report. he is quite incon>i>t-
ent. If the Chief receives $1,000 a wear and
does nothing. why should he uphraid those who
receive nothing for doing the same thing. The
truth is the Office he holds is StumbIiny-block
to Shcritl>. their deputies. and con>tabeS in
their several towns. The sooner it Is abolished
and town officers compelled to act on their own
motion in enforcing the law the faster prohibi
ton will make progress in this State. When
the people of Rhode Island think seriously of
granting all BOSS Brayton" asks, they may as
well make short cut of the matter and deed to
him the Commonwealth at once.
In less than seven months after prohibition
Went into effect bill was introduced in the
Legislature to abolish the prohbitory amend
ment. There Is no danger of its getting to the
people to decide again this year. But when the
question is submitted once more to voters there
will be fewer ballots east in sport than were
deposited last April. The next fight will show
what the public means on the subject rather
than express dress parade opinions
An issue for our Courts to settle is found in
the question, if such members of the General
Assembly as helped to create District Courts.
and filled seven out Of twelve offices 50 made
themselves, are qualified to sit in the dual ca
pacities of legislators and Judges One lawyer
has told such Judge in open court that he was
ineligible to sit in judgment on the case with
which he was connected. Whatever may be
said of the legality of such legislation the moral
effect is injurious.
The celebrated ''contempt resolutions" intro
duced by members of our House of Rcprescn-
tatives, whereby the Assembly was to act rs
judge of its own cause, have been ridiculcd in
the papers far and near. 1t is surmiScd that
those who were loulest in demands for an i'll
held. This subject requires more time than
now command to detail in comprehensive
manner. No one would be convinced at the
conclusion of such whtewa>hing process con-
trary to his former opinions. That there was
a a'deal' made at Newport last May few in this
State will deny. That it comprehendeG seats
in Congress is undoubtcd. The goods have not
been delivered, the ring is ruptured, hence our
''out at sea" condition politically. NJ MR.
A Sea Captains Temperance Address.
Writing of voyage from Japan, The Ken
nebecker says: l have spoken of the junk
crew rescued by Captain Leandcr. lie had
them on board his ship great while and learned
much of their country, which he related to our